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SIX PEOPLE WERE killed over the June bank holiday weekend last year, and 12 were seriously injured.
To helps save lives and reduce the number of injuries this year, ’Operation Slow Down’ has been launched.
Gardaí have rolled out the campaign to remind drivers of the dangers of inappropriate and excessive speed that is one of the main factors in road-related deaths.
Although for the past seven years, there has been a year-on-year decrease in the number of road deaths in Ireland, there are 11 more road deaths so far this year when compared with the same time last year.
To date, 75 people have lost their lives on Irish roads in 2013 and 78 per cent of these deaths have been a driver, passenger or motorcyclist. While more than one third of deaths have happened on Thursdays and Fridays.
“Speed limit signs are the maximum that you may travel at on that road, but only when conditions are perfect,” warned Garda Assistant Commissioner, Gerard Phillips. “When you are faced with adverse weather, road or traffic conditions, the most effective way to keep safe is to slow down”.
“The speed limit is not a target that must be achieved,” Phillips added.
Noel Brett of the Road Safety Authority warned that even a slight increase in speed can be fatal.
If a pedestrian is hit at 50km/h the chance of survival is fifty-fifty, the toss of a coin. If the same pedestrian is hit at 60km/h nine out of ten will die.
“Last year’s June bank holiday weekend saw six lives lost and a further 12 people seriously injured,” said the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar. “There is always a risk associated with driving at the weekend, but bank holiday weekends are riskier still.”
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yes speed is ONE of the main factors …what are the others?, the poor state and upkeep of primary roads is surely one, bad or poor road markings/lighting?, even the failings of Councils in those regards should be mentioned!!
Agreed, a total clamp down on speed was always only going to be a short term solution and its maybe showing now with an increase in road deaths this year.
For a proper road safety campaign the RSA should be educating drivers on how to read and adjust to road conditions and drive at a safe but reasonable speed for the road and conditions presented at any given time.
They should bring driver education to schools, including actually driving lessons being part of a curriculum.
And they should introduce retesting of everyone at a minimum every ten years when a license is being renewed but realistically it should be every five years.
Stupid drivers that fail to take into consideration the condition of the road and the limits of both their own ability and that of their vehicle. Unfortunately the roads themselves do not contribute to many accidents, it is how they are driven on that does.
The roads in this country are disgrace. Them speed vans were also to be put in places were people died. The majority of them are in places were they just catch people out. Entrapment .
The Gardai should start looking and prosecuting people who drive 15kmph on some major roads,People who do this are another major factor in causing accidents and should be dealt with In the same way as people who speed,
Totally agree Hillary ,I came across a Nissan micra holding up a tractor one day !
*Hilary*
I know him. That was Joe Farrell!!
Good Point. Also- I’ve noticed that since they dropped the speed limit from 100kph , to 80kph on the old N3, sticking to 80kph (to avoid being caught by the many speed vans) just frustrates the people behind,and they make dangerous overtaking maneuvers. Lose lose …
100% agree that road has become lethal since those of us who actually pay attention have noticed its dropped to 80kmh. Your almost forced to use the toll road to avoid the dangers.
Amy you got the two fun columns this morning didn’t you!
GoGo99, yes, I really did. Send good news to me for tomorrow morning – amy[at]thejournal.ie!
Common sense. Regardless of what vehicle, or means of travel.
Isn’t Thursday and Friday practically a third of the week anyway?
Pity they don’t put the same effort into catching criminals/murderers/burglars and all the rest.
I think people who drive nissan micra’s are usually some of the worst drivers on the road and also people who wont overtake tractors is a pain
While any traffic death is a horrible thing, and even 1 is too many, try to remember that Ireland has amongst the lowest rate of traffic deaths in the world! [sic]. So lets not be too quick to blame some unrelated bondholders or the IMF or something else the haters will blame. Haters gonna hate.
have your say